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What causes finger clubbing? 5 possible conditions

Clubbing of the Fingers or Toes

Clubbing of the fingers or toes refers to certain changes in your fingernails or toenails that occur due to an underlying condition. These changes can include:

softening of the nail beds, which makes the nails seem to float instead of being attached

an increase in the angle between the cuticle and the nail

enlarging or bulging of the tip of the finger, which may also be red and warm

downward curving of the nail

These changes can happen in a matter of weeks. Many of the conditions associated with clubbing are serious, so it is important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Clubbing of the fingers or toes is a general symptom of numerous diseases and disorders. These include:

lung cancer

heart defects at birth

chronic lung infections

heart chamber and heart valve infections

celiac disease (an autoimmune disease of the small intestine that prevents it from absorbing gluten from food)

Recognizing Clubbing

Clubbing of your fingers or toes results in your nails becoming wider and rounder. The nails curve downward and become soft, and the angle formed by the nail and cuticle becomes straighter. Your fingertips may also appear red and swollen and feel warm.

Underlying Causes of Clubbing

The nail widening that characterizes clubbing occurs because the tissue under the nail plate becomes thicker. This can be caused by a number of conditions that lead to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in your blood, such as lung disease and heart disease. Clubbing has also been associated with overactive thyroid glands, inflammation of the intestines (principally the colon, known as dysentery), and liver disease.

Lung Cancer

The most common cause of nail clubbing is lung cancer. This disease develops when you have abnormal lung cells that grow out of control. The National Cancer Institute places the estimate for new cases of lung cancer in 2012 at more than 226,000. (NCI)

Pulmonary Fibrosis

This condition occurs when your lung tissue becomes thick and scarred, which interferes with your breathing. In most cases, there is no known cause. It cannot be cured, but treatment can stop additional scarring and relieve some of your symptoms.

Tetralogy of Fallot

This is a heart defect that you are born with. It affects how blood flows through your heart. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, it is present in around five out of every 10,000 babies. (NHLBI)

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

This type of cancer occurs in the lymphatic system, which in turn affects your immune system. Other symptoms include painless swelling in your lymph nodes, night sweats, and fever.

Bronchiectasis

This condition occurs when your airways become widened and scarred due to an infection or other condition that stops them from getting rid of mucus. It can be managed but not cured. Treatment is important, since this condition can lead to heart failure or respiratory failure.

Asbestosis

This disease occurs when inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring on your lung tissue. This leads to breathing difficulties and a decreased amount of oxygen in the blood. The scarring occurs gradually, and it can take up to 20 years for symptoms to appear. (AmericanLungAssociation) It cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed.

When to See Your Doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any signs of clubbing in your toes or fingers. Most of the underlying conditions that can lead to clubbing are serious, but early diagnosis and treatment may improve your outlook.

Treating Clubbing

Treatment involves addressing your underlying condition. The type of treatment you will need depends on what that condition is.

Lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Common treatments for pulmonary fibrosis include medication and oxygen therapy.

Tetralogy of Fallot can be corrected with open-heart surgery, in most cases.

Medication, drinking lots of fluids, and chest physical therapy are common treatments for bronchiectasis.

Asbestosis can be treated with respiratory therapy to break up mucus, an oxygen mask, and aerosol medication.

What Can I Expect in the Long-Term?

Your toes or fingers may return to their normal shape once the underlying condition is treated, but this depends on which condition you have. Some of the conditions that cause clubbing are chronic but manageable. Others are much more serious. Your doctor will be able to give you a better idea of what the outlook is for your particular situation.

Preventing Clubbing

The only way to prevent clubbing is by taking steps to prevent the underlying conditions that cause it. You cannot prevent certain conditions, such as cancer, but you can lower your risk of developing them.

Lung Cancer

You can reduce your risk of lung cancer by not smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, and limiting your exposure to toxins in the workplace.

Bronchiectasis

This condition can be prevented by:

getting childhood vaccines against measles and whooping cough, which are conditions that can cause lung infections

staying away from substances that can harm your lungs, such as smoke and toxic fumes

having all lung infections promptly treated

Asbestosis

You can help prevent asbestosis by using protective equipment if you work in an industry where you might be exposed to asbestos, such as construction.

See a list of possible causes in order from the most common to the least.

Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lungs are permanently damaged and enlarged, which causes infections and blockages in the airways, and gives the skin a blue appearance.

Asbestosis is a lung disease that develops from the presence of asbestos fibers, which lead to scarring. It restricts your breathing and interferes with the ability of oxygen to enter the bloodstream. Other names fo...

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